Spanish GP track to host World Rallycross

Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix venue at Barcelona will host a World Rallycross Championship event in 2015. The rallycross version of the Circuito de Catalunya track is expected to incorporate sections of the main race circuit used by F1 and MotoGP among others.

The Catalan circuit joins ex-F1 host Istanbul Park in Turkey as a new rallycross venue, and is the sixth new track to be introduced to the sport by promoter IMG since it took over the European series for 2013 and converted it into a world championship this season.

"This is extremely positive news for our championship. It's a new market for us and the organisers in Barcelona have worked extremely hard to help get this project off the ground," said World Rallycross managing director Martin Anayi. "The team are very experienced, having previously brought X Games to the city, so I have no doubt that the same level of professionalism will be delivered in our championship.

"Work will shortly be underway on the new rallycross track and I'm excited by the prospect of a World RX race in one of the world's major economic and sporting hubs."

The inaugural World RX season has so far featured six winners from the first six events, and the standings are currently led by 2003 World Rally champion Petter Solberg. The series holds its first long-haul event next week when it competes at legendary Canadian street race venue Trois Rivieres.